13 Year Old Completes Everest Climb and Looks Ahead

You may remember the discussions of 13 year old Jordan Romero taking on Everest a few weeks ago, the story was met with public controversy over the parent's willingness and support of such a dangerous climb. Though there were those who were outraged and then those who were supportive of young Jordan's ambitions and cheering him on.

Well last weekend Jordan managed to successfully tackle Everest safely, adding to his list of momentous achievements and becoming the youngest person to successfully complete the summit. Though he isn't stopping there. Just days after arriving back in Nepal he told reporters of his next goal- Ascending Mount Cho Oyu, a 8 201 meter peak on the Tibet/Nepal border in Autumn.

Mount Cho Oyu is the sixth highest mountain in the world. The first recorded ascent of Mount Cho Oyu was in 1954. Though since has become quite a popular summit, which is considered the easiest of the 8000+ meter peaks.

Jordan also noted that he is planning on completing his primary goal in the winter, by ascending each of the highest peaks in all of the 7 continents. He has already completed 6 of these peaks and the final remaining ascent shall take place in the winter in an attempt to conquer the Vinson Massif in Antarctica. Though like Mount Cho Oyu, Vinson Massif is far from the most difficult challenge young Jordan has faced, and in fact is also known as a fairly easy peak to ascend in comparison to some of what he has done before. Vinson Massif, while the largest peak in Antarctica is only 4,892 meters- a far less daunting height than previous challenges.

Jordan remains optimistic about completing his goal and also hopes to encourage other youngsters and adults alike to become more active, stating: "I am doing this to set an example for them and try to motivate them to get outdoors and set goals,"

I agree with baigot. Children should be kept indoors at all times. All risks should be avoided. If more parents were like baigot and let the television raise their children, maybe we wouldnt have so many new young people trying to raise the standards of our sport when they should be perfectly happy being mediocre. Right on baigot!

They need to rename it now..."Disney's Everest Adventure". Goes to show that you dont have to be a fit climber, just have enough money to get someone to carry your carcass up the damn mountain! And I'm so glad to see these rich parents supporting their sons education...shouldn't this kid be in school and not climbing 8000' summitts? Maybe have a goal not related to climbing insignificant peaks? And Baigot is right...physiologically the child has been put under extreme conditions, that can have life changing effects, for absolutley no good reason at all.

This controversial issue of a young kid climbing Everest should not be drawn down to punditry... From what I have gathered the kid made the decision on his own, and is fit enough to do the climb on his own. He is a big kid for his age and has accomplished a lot. I understand the criticism but in all reality it comes mainly from people who are jealous that they are not as fortunate. Why should we be judging and angry with a kid who has an amazing opportunity and feels that he can motivate people to be more active. I'm jealous myself, I love mountaineering and climbing of all sorts, if I had the chance to do this sort of thing I would take it in a heartbeat!

I also agree with baigot, his thirteen year old brain is still developing and there is no way that the extreme conditions he has been subjected to on the mountains can be good for him. His parents may be happy now that he is doing this, but maybe in 15 years when he reads at a second grade level and cant form a coherent sentence they will regret allowing him to do this.

LMAO.... 13 year old's developing brain subject to extreme conditions... hmmm, I wonder how this kids Everest-tested brain would stack up against all the children that bounce soccer balls on their heads...or how about a fastball to the cranium...or getting crushed by some cornfed-hormonally advanced linebacker playing Pop-Warner football. IMO, the high altitudes should only serve to condition this child's body to develop toward dealing with high altitude situation more efficiently.

You have to love the internet. Full of people that know the correct advice to situation that they know little about. Since I am one, I think this kid's situation is not the greatest, but far better than the standard. Sure the kid is taking on risky adventures and possibly his parents are pushing it. But compared to most of the 13 year olds in this country this is not bad. 13 year olds are drinking, joining gangs, or are too fat to move so a kid climbing everest IMO is better and less dangerous that the fatty sitting in front of his xbox with a bag of cheetos. From the articles I have read on Jordan, his parents and himself are all fully aware of the dangers involved, and since he has quite a successful career so far, they must have tought him right. Somehow I feel that by age 17, this kid will have better risk management skills than the majority of people on RC.com, as well as having accomplished a lot too.

And to the school argument, plenty of kids are home shooled and do fine, and home school kids do better on the SAT's than public school tought. Some public schools are so underfunded and inept in the US, you would probably learn more from traveling around the world than sitting in a classroom. And thanks to no child left behind, 60% of the time kids his age spend in school is aimed at practicing for the tests that determine the fedral funding for the school. If you want your kid to know alot about taking standardized tests, keep them in public school. I'd pick the travel the world option since all my test taking skills I have aquired in my schooling career has helped me squat since starting starting my career.

The only thing this kid is really missing out on is a "typical" childhood. I would think a forum full of climbers could appreciate someone not wanting a typical lifestyle.

"but maybe in 15 years when he reads at a second grade level and cant form a coherent sentence they will regret allowing him to do this. "

really? I bet this kid will be a better reader than most Americans. I am not sure about others, but I do 95% of all my reading when traveling and on camping/climbing/outdoor trips. From what it sounds like, he does a lot of traveling and little TV watching. Maybee his folks should get him into competative spelling, since those kids have hobbies that make them great readers with no danger.

Ma, pa, I think I'll go and join the army, vote, drink beer, after all I'm making my own decision.

I think there's a chance this is a further step down the path of people being guided thinking they are "conquering" - if this 13 year old managed to organise the funds, got together a team, developed his own training regime, organised supplies, batered with locals, and was capable of providing solo aid to team mates requiring assistance, then maybe, just maybe it would rate as being close to conquering.

But how likely is this to be the case?

[i]the youngest guided 7 summits[/i]

In all truth, I'm undecided on the issue, but things like this and 16 year olds sailing around the world in order to break a record does not sit right with me.

There's a lot to be said for just being a kid - playing for fun always beats the cut and thrust of competitive life as an adult.

yes, as in he made the decision to want to climb the peak on his own. his parents were not a factor of coercion, they were the support system and gave him the permission to do so. Just like a 13 year old might decide he wants to play soccer.

and no one 'conquers' everest anymore - its so dialed that a 13 year old can do it (oops) so no sense arguing that. Blind, young, old doesn't matter its just everest. Notice my lack of capitalization there.

Im sure he had fun, otherwise he wouldn't be looking to do his next one. I wish people would stop commenting from their armchairs and give accolade when its due and in this case it most certainly is due. I'd be effin proud if my kid did climbed everest.